Legume intercropping in maize for improved crop productivity and soil health
Research-based agronomic solution for rainfed maize systems that introduces legume intercropping and residue management to boost yields, enhance soil health, and improve nutritional security for smallholder farmers.
Overview
This solution addresses the dual challenge of declining soil health and unstable yields in rainfed maize cultivation by introducing legume intercropping and targeted residue management. Designed for dryland agricultural systems, the approach combines maize with compatible legume crops to improve soil fertility through natural nitrogen contribution, enhance overall system productivity, and provide nutritional food security for resource-poor farming communities. The intervention is particularly suited to semi-arid regions where maize is a staple crop closely tied to farmer livelihoods.
Technical specifications
Cropping system:
- Maize-based intercropping evaluated with six legume partners: soybean, blackgram, greengram, cowpea, clusterbean, and pigeonpea
- Sole maize cropping included as a control treatment
- Two residue management levels: with crop residue and without crop residue
- Experimental design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
- Plot size: 8 x 8 meters with three replications
- Study duration: 2 years
Measured outcomes:
- Short-term effect of legume intercropping on maize productivity
- Quantification of residue management and intercropping benefits on soil health parameters
Technology readiness level
The maize + pigeonpea intercropping system has already been validated in prior research. This project extends validation to additional pulse legumes to strengthen the evidence base. The study will be conducted at the research farm of the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) over a two-year period, with outcomes intended to support scale-up to farmer fields.
About The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
ICAR–Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture is a national-scale public agricultural research institute in Hyderabad, India, focused on practical approaches for rainfed and climate-resilient farming. Field research facilities support testing under variable moisture, soil, and weather conditions, while agro-advisory capabilities connect analysis with operational decisions. A coordinated national network extends collaboration across regions, and farmer-facing outreach, including Krishi Vigyan Kendra activities, supports validation and knowledge transfer beyond the laboratory. Research is anchored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, with additional competitive support from Indian government programs. ICAR technology channels provide a pathway for licensing institute-developed technologies.
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